Trollheart

Day 12

Group E

Costa Rica v Germany (Result: 2-4; both go out - see next match)

Who would have expected Germany to have been struggling to get through, never mind top the group? The four-time winners have disappointed badly in the tournament so far, and needed a win to have any chance of qualifying, whereas Costa Rica would be happy with a draw. No, I didn’t write that in reverse. Such is the wonder of the World Cup. Great run by Germany into the box in the 7th minute, but fancy feet are not much use if you can’t score with them, which is just what they did three minutes later. Germany with hope, but a very long way to go yet. They were determined not to let Costa Rica play, nicking the ball every time the Central Americans had it, and they kept the action down their side right through the half, Costa Rica hardly having a shot. They did, though, right at the end of the half, but blasted over the roof of the net.

Costa Rica began to stamp their authority on the fame as the second half got underway, scoring on the back of a great run and terrible German defence, putting the Germans right back in trouble, and more was to come when Costa Rica went close but it was another pinball effort and the score remained level, which would of course suit Costa Rica. But then things went from bad to worse for Germany as Costa Rica scored again! 70 minutes and the giants were heading for a humiliating fall. Even levelling it up now wouldn’t really help them; they had to score two more. And they set about it with the grim determination and discipline that we’ve come to know Germany for, scoring in the 72nd minute to give themselves hope, and surely their fate was in their own hands now. It was all Germany and indeed in the 84th minute they got their third, breaking the valiant Costa Rica’s hearts, but the words of the late Jack Charlton come back to us: never rule the Germans out. 3-2 and they made sure in the 88th by hitting one more. After a rollercoaster of a game, and seeming to be doomed to go out at this early stage, Germany survived and would go through, as long as Japan didn’t spoil their day…

Japan v Spain (Result: 2-1; Japan go through, Spain were already doing so )

Like Germany, Japan had to win to go through against the mighty Spain, who were of course already through. No times here either I’m afraid, so in the first half Spain scored from a nice header in the 11th minute, so I was informed, and now Japan’s job was even harder. They rose to the challenge though, scoring in the second, to give themselves a real chance. It looked like they had done it with a second, but the ball was ruled to have gone out of play so the goal was scrubbed. Oh hell it wasn’t! The ref gave it. It was definitely out. Definitely. Well now Japan must have had the footballing gods on their side, and they were on course to qualify. A great opportunity to put the match beyond all doubt near the end, but squandered, and all that was needed to crush their hopes was for Spain to put one more in. And they nearly did, but the keeper was alive to it and saved his country. Twice. And they held on to get the win and top the group.

Group F

Croatia v Belgium (Result: 0-0; Belgium go out )

A win or a draw was all Croatia needed to go through, whereas Belgium were hanging on, and needed a win to make it to the next stage. Both teams going for it then, with Croatia almost scoring on six seconds - no I said seconds! But it flashed past the post. Well, you couldn’t expect to score that soon, could you? Belgium had a shot in the 11th minute but went wide, and another break by then in the 13th as a beautiful pass by DeBruyne was totally wasted and the ball blasted wide and high. A free kick for Croatia led to one of their people on the ground in the box, and a penalty was the result. Oh, no it wasn’t: offside so no penalty.

Croatia started turning it on in the second half and almost got their reward on 50 minutes, the keeper pawing it away for a corner, but you have to wonder why the coach left both Hazards and Lukaku out? The latter did come in and had a great shot on 60 minutes but again pinball in the goal, one post to the other and out. Amazing how it did not go in. He also missed a sitter with a bad header shortly afterwards, and as the 86th minute clocked up again somehow Belgium managed not to score when it looked harder to miss. Making a right mess of this, it must be said. Lukaku almost got it at the death, but instead of heading it it was his chest that presented the ball to the keeper.

To be fair, Croatia were not playing well. They’d hardly had a shot and in the second minute of four of extra time the score still stood at nil-nil. Some great defence, but mostly it was a tale of really really bad misses and Belgium could not do it and go home. I suppose you could say Croatia won by, well, not scoring but through great defence, but if it hadn’t been for Belgium this would have been a pretty boring game; they provided any real drama or action. Nevertheless, they’re out, and so is their coach, Roberto Martinez, who announced his retirement at the end of the game. Probably leaping before he was pushed.

Canada v Morocco (Result: 1-2; Morocco go through)

Lots to play for in Morocco’s case, even a possibility, depending on other results, of topping the group. Canada were out either way, so just pride to play for, and if it’s one thing Canadians have, it’s pride. Mistake by the keeper in (again, what can I tell you about times?) the first half let Morocco in and they were one up, the best start possible for them and a real embarrassment for the Canucks. Even more so when in the 22nd minute (so said the commentator, otherwise I wouldn’t know) a run down the field, a great pass and a shot that took the ball into the bottom corner, and Morocco could dream of that top of the group finish. Canada looked like a beaten team, until out of nowhere they restored a little of the national pride, making the margin thinner for their opponent, but it wasn’t long before Morocco thought they had restored their two-goal lead, near the end of the first half, but it was ruled offside.

Canada began to play in the second half, looking a different team, perhaps since scoring, and somehow did not make it 2-2, the ball bouncing up and down on the line and out. Unbelievable. Morocco held on for the win, a fine performance from one of the outsiders of the tournament.

Group E

1st: Japan (6 points)
2nd: Spain (4 points)
3rd: Germany (4 points)
4th: Costa Rica (3 points)

Japan goes through at the top of the group, displacing Spain, who still qualify but in second place; despite their heroic efforts, Germany go out on goal difference, and Costa Rica are done too.

Group F

1st: Morocco (7 points)
2nd: Croatia (5 points)
3rd: Belgium (4 points)
4th: Canada (0 points)

Morocco top the group and go through, Croatia with them; Canada were already gone and are joined by Belgium.

Into the Round of Sixteen then:

Japan v Croatia

Morocco v Spain

Tomorrow’s matches

Tomorrow sees the final matches in the group stages, as the eight teams remaining square off in Group G and H.

Group G

Cameroon v Brazil

Serbia v Switzerland

Group H

Ghana v Uruguay

Korea Republic v Portugal

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